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Athachamayam

Athachamayam: a festival of generations

Athachamayam marks the beginning of the ten day Onam festival in Kerala. It is an occasion to witness almost all the folk art forms of Kerala. Conducted every year on the Atham star of the Malayalam month Chingam, the event held at the Royal historical town of Tripunithura is a celebration of a legendary victory of the Kochi King.

Athachamayam marks the beginning of the ten-day Onam festival in Kerala. It is an occasion to witness almost all the folk art forms of Kerala.

Conducted every year on the Atham asterism of the Malayalam month Chingam (Leo), the event held at the historical town of Thripunithura is a celebration of a legendary victory of the Raja (King) of Kochi. In olden days it was customary for the king to travel with his entire entourage to the Thripunithura fort. This was also the occasion for his subjects to greet the king and see him at close quarters. The procession, now without the king, still retains its majestic charm, and is conducted in a spectacular manner.

Caparisoned elephants, varieties of folk art forms, floats, musical ensembles etc form part of the procession.

Onam is the most popular festival of the Malayalees and can be traced to the primitive harvest festival and also to the myth regarding King Mahabali - the benevolent asura ruler who brought peace and prosperity to his country.

History of Athachamayam

History

Athachamayam marks the beginning of the ten day Onam festival in Kerala. It is an occasion to witness almost all the folk art forms of Kerala.

Conducted every year on the Atham star of the Malayalam month Chingam, the event held at the Royal historical town of Tripunithura is a celebration of a legendary victory of the Kochi King. In olden days it was customary for the king to travel with his entire entourage to the Tripunithura fort. This was also the occasion for his subjects to greet the king and see him at close quarters. The procession, now without the king, still retains its majestic charm, and is conducted in a spectacular manner and is being conducted by the Tripunithura Municipality with whole hearted co-operation of the public.

Caparisoned elephants, varieties of folk art forms, floats, musical ensembles etc form part of the procession.

Atham, the day which heralds the 10-day Onam festivities, is celebrated with great enthusiasm at Tripunithura.In earlier times, the Athachamayam Festival was celebrated in honour of the Raja of Kochi. On the festival day, the Maharaja undertook the ritualistic Attachamayam march from Tripunithura to the Vamanamoorthy Temple in Thrikkakara.He then offered his special prayers there.The grand parade made a halt at the royal quarters at Puthen Bungalow enroute, and later marched towards the sprawling Hill Palace compound. The Maharaja gave 'darshan' to his innumerable citizens during this day.

Representatives from all communities accompanied the Kochi Maharaja during Athachamayam. They included a priest from Karingachira Church, head priest of the mosque Nettur Thangal, and Chembil Arayan, a representative of the fisher folk.Today, a senior representative of the Cochin royal family, alongwith the other two religious leaders, jointly flag off the ceremony.

Although the reign of royalty had come to an end with the attainment of independence and re-organisation of states, the festival is still celebrated in all its glory to mark the beginning of Onam, the state festival of Kerala.Onam festivities in the district begin with the ceremonial parade of Athachamayam at Tripunithura.

Some of the folk art forms such as Theyyam, Kummatti, Kolkali, Mayilattom, Karakattom, Kummi, Poykal, Ammankudam, Pulikkali, Kathakali, Aattakkavadi, Panchavadyam, Chendamelam etc are displayed in the parade. Floats depicting immortal moments from epics like Mahabharatha and Ramayana and from the Bible as well as current social issues, reflect the secular nature of the festival, highlighting unity and harmony. Myths and legends of yore in the forms of gods and goddesses lend colour and meaning to the event. There are also cultural competitions and variety entertainment activities held as part of the festival. Apart from the regular footpath vendors who deal with items from handicrafts and cottage sectors, a ten-day trade fair is also organised at Tripunithura.

Onam

Onam (Malayalam: ഓണം) is a secular festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. It is also the state festival of Kerala with State.

The festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the commemoration of Vamana avatara of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali who Malayalees consider as their King. In Kerala, it is the festival celebrated with most number of cultural elements such as Atthachamayam, Vallam Kali, Pulikali, Pookkalam, Onathappan, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Kazhchakkula, Onapottanetc. Onam is reminiscent of Kerala's agrarian past, as it is considered to be a harvest festival.

Significance: Onam is an ancient pre religious festival which still survives in modern times. Kerala's rice harvest festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers, which fall on the month of Chingam, celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Patala (the underworld). Onam is unique and spread religious harmony since Mahabali and all secular Asura Kings are revered by the people of Kerala since prehistory.The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily. It is in honour of King Mahabali that Onam is celebrated. The deity Vamana, also called Onatthappan, is also revered during this time by installing a clay figure next to the floral carpet (Pookalam) by Hindus. The birthday of Sri Padmanabhan, the presiding Deity of Thiruvananthapuram, is on the Thiruvonam day in the month of Chingam. Thiruonam day is the most important day of Onam. In Onam 2014, Thiruvonam date is 23rd August.

Result: competitions

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Biju P.A.

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Programs

Vocal

Instruments

Mohiniyattom

Kathakali

Drama

Messages from celebraties

More than a festival it is a feeling of all Malayalees....a feeling of togetherness that instills a great deal of confidence among them. I wish the people of Kerala a Happy Thiru Onam

Umman Chandi - Chief Minister

Onam was the commemoration of prosperity, equality and innocence of a remote past. It also held forth hopes and dreams of a future of equality, prosperity and social justice.